Things Bowl Busters Should Know

1-What time do we begin?
2-What if I'm late?
3-What are the three things I must do when I arrive?
4-How long does it take?
5 What do I wear?
6-What equipment do I need?
7-What’s for dinner?
8-Do we play if it rains?
9-What can I do to help?
10-How does the scoring work?
11-What is most important?

1 What time do we begin?

Bowling begins at 7pm, but the clubhouse opens at 5:30pm. Feel free to come by and put something on the grill and enjoy a tasty beverage. We draw for games at 7pm. It is part of the ethos of JPLBC to start on time – a charming, un-Seattle kind of thing to do.

2 What if I'm late?

If you are going to be a few minutes late and don't want to miss the draw, call the clubhouse at 762.2490 and we'll throw your name in the mix. If you miss the draw, you'll be a spectator. YOU MUST CALL by 6:45pm

3 What do I do when I arrive?

#1 You must sign in at the club register by the front door.

#2 You must find the brass token with your name on it (right inside the front door) and bring it up to the game table. This is how we draw for games.

#3 Put on your name tag! If you forgot yours, make a temporary one using the press-on sticker type in the name tag drawer.

#4 (optional) Select your bowls from the bowls rack. It’s first come, first serve for using house bowls. If you prefer a certain set, come early and claim them for the game.

4 How long does it take to play a game?

League play consist of two 8-end games.  Actual time varies, but we generally are wrapping up the second game around 9:30pm.

You're welcome to hang out and enjoy the late summer evening after your game is finished -- bask in the glow of your accomplishments or drown your sorrows amongst friends who understand. You can even bowl some more just for fun!

5 What do I wear?

Smooth-soled shoes are a must! No heels. Rugged-soled shoes are not as good as fine treads. In big-time competition, shoes are required to be smooth as a baby’s bottom. Fortunately, we don’t go that far.

Whites are not required.

Bring a jacket. We start in Junuary, so evenings are always chilly to downright cold. Seems wrong, but do the best you can and dress for cool, damp weather the first few weeks of league.

As the weather warms up, so do the mosquitoes. They come out at dusk and pray on the sweet flesh of Bowl Busters. Cover up or splash a little repellent.

6 What equipment do I need?

The club has guest bowls you may use, but any other bowler can take the bowls you prefer if they arrive before you. Come early to claim your bowls of choice. Better yet, buy your own!

A few other specialty items are nice to have and easily affordable. Please consider purchasing your own gripping cream, bowls measure, and chalk. Small selections of these are available at the club. Ask Kat.

Bring a hand towel for wiping your bowls. As evening falls, the dew rises and bowls get harder to hold onto. Bring a towel, wipe bowls off before each turn, and before you put them in the box or your carrying case.

7 What’s for dinner?

Bring your own dinner or something to share with the group, if you like. The grill will be hot, and the club has basic condiments. Plates, cups, silverware and serving utensils are all available at the club.

Bring your own beverage. For league night, we have a banquet permit so you are welcome to bring your beer, wine, or spirit of choice. Non-alcoholic drinks are also permitted. Again, you are welcome to bring for just yourself or share with the group.

8 Do we play if it rains?

Bowlers don’t melt! We bust some bowls regardless of poor weather conditions. A Florida-like monsoon squall, flooding the greens would cancel the game; a damp chill in the air does not. Not once since the inception of Bowl Busters has the game not gone on.

9 What can I do to help?

Help set-up and take-down! Anyone coming early can pitch in and help setup the rinks for the games, roll out the grill and set up a table outside. At the end of the evening, those same items are neatly tucked away, garbage is taken to the dumpster, all the dishes are clean.

Ride a big machine! We need league members to “roll the green” with the awesome, side-winding machine. This takes a lesson and some practice, but we get a better green and you gain a lot of respect.

Maintenance Mondays! Each week a volunteer crew works on keeping the greens and the grounds in lovely condition. If you have the time to help mow a lawn (or the green), weed a garden, and other volunteer activities, please come out and help Monday nights from 6pm until dusk from June through August.

10 How does the scoring work?

Your league standing is determined by "Wins", then "Plus Points", and finally by "Total Points". Each time your team wins (remember your team changes each week) you get 1 point. We also tally the score of each game, so you receive 1 Plus Point when your team wins by 5 or more points. If there is a tie in determining who Busts the most Bowls, we go to Total Points to declare a winner. Total points are of course, your scores from each of the games you played.

We'll keep score each week and the results will be posted on the web site and at the club. No shames in your standing since girls kick-ass no matter their score.

11 What is most important?

We are supportive and encouraging to all bowlers. We play to win, but playing a good game and losing is almost as fun. Celebrating a good shot, even by your opponent, is good form. Similarly, there is no shame in a bowl gone bad; it happens to all of us. Take the game serious enough to learn how it’s played, not so serious that it’s no longer fun.